How will you Handle the New DFS Designations Rule

As many of you know, DFS has been working on a rule which would restrict what designations, job titles or other descriptions could be used about title agents. A history of our back-and-forth with them is on our Government Affairs Page here.

Actually the project started after the DFS determined that certain life insurance agents were coming up with "made-up" or "mail-in" designations that implied they had special knowledge and expertise. I think most of us would agree that is wrong, and should be prohibited.

Unfortunately the rule is much broader than "made up" initials after your name, and would apply to any "combination of words or any acronym standing for a combination of words, or any job title that indicates or implies that a licensee has special knowledge or training ... beyond the knowledge or training required for the license held." Here is the latest version of the proposed rule.

Even under the draft rule, I feel comfortable that we can protect the CLS/CLC designations. FLTA will continue to urge them to limit and clarify this rule, but it would help greatly if you could tell us how this rule (if it went into effect) would impact your business.

For example, do any of your company's job titles imply knowledge or expertise -- like Senior Title Examiner? Would you throw out your "World's Best Title Agent" coffee mug?